Reading I: 2 Tim 2: 8-15 "The Word of God is not imprisoned. If we died with him, we shall also live with him. "
Psalms 25: 4BC-5ab, 8-9,10,14
Chorus: Lord, show halls thy.
* Tell your streets, O Lord, show halls thy. Lead me in Your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me.
* God is good and true, why he teach sinners in the way. He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them His way people casually.
* All the ways of the Lord are mercy and truth to those who keep his covenant and his testimonies. God's intimate friendship with those who fear Him, and His covenant He tell them.
Gospel: Mark 12: 28b-34
"This is the first commandment. And the second is the same as the first. "
12: 28b One day a scribe came to Jesus and asked, "Which commandment is the most important?" 12:29 Jesus replied, "The key is, 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God is one God! 12 "30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. 12:31 And the second is: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment more important than these two commandments. "12:32 Then the scribes said to Jesus," Teacher, precisely what you promised you that He is one, and there is no other God but Him. 12:33 And to love him with all your heart, with all your mind, and with all your strength and love your neighbor as oneself, is much more important than all burnt offerings and offerings. "12:34 When Jesus noticed how wise his answer. And he said to him, "You are not far from the kingdom of God." And no one has dared to question him.
reflection:
Central message of the gospel is Jesus Christ.
In this passage, Paul seems to have been aware of one important thing, which is Christ, the gospel is forgotten! It appears that Paul in verse 8, "Remember Jesus Christ ...." Paul reminded Timothy that his preaching in the service center forward the baton of the Gospel message is Christ. He was incarnate, died, and rose to the believer must continue to work and echoed his existence to everyone.
Indeed, for all the consequences or the price paid, which is willing to sacrifice and to suffer. Paul exemplifies the life experiences that have suffered because of continued service and make Christ the center of his preaching (verse 9-10). But all the suffering was not able to prevent the spirit of Paul's preaching the gospel because she believed that Christ stood before him (Heb. 4: 16-17). It is precisely in suffering that it is not only more aware of the meaning selected as the chosen people, but also the sense of united with Christ. Paul believe one thing: namely, that those who were subjected to the Gospel message was saved by Christ. An extraordinary confidence, which should also be the belief of all believers.
Many Christians today, including pastors, have no confidence as Paul had. First, they preach about Christ, but his attitude to life and his personality does not reflect the presence of Christ. Second, it has the ability to preach and collect mass until finally the gospel is no longer centered on Christ, but self-centered. Arrogance and pride seal for Christ otherwise. Third, the claim to believe, but do not have the courage to pass the baton of the gospel for fear of suffering. Christ incarnate, died, and rose for His people that have been forgotten.
Learn from his experience, he found that there were ministers who have corrupted the Gospel, such as Hymenaeus and Philetus (paragraph 17.18). For Paul, the likes of which they have to watch out because it teaches lessons that deviate from the truth of Christ, which could make the church shaken his faith. Therefore, Paul explicitly warned Timothy to continue the baton of the gospel to those who have met the qualification standards: dare to speak the truth about Christ, honest, responsible, and faithful to the Word of God.
From this passage we learn that the only one who has passed the test kelauakan (fit and proper test), given by God alone is worthy of being the successor to the baton of the Gospel message. Because they are servants of God that emphasizes holiness, have pure hearts, admirable Christian virtues, and tested. It is time for shareholders baton of the Gospel, the Lord's servants introspection and ask God, "What me has met the eligibility standard that God has set!"
Psalms, Kick magic of God.
Life on earth in Indonesia was more difficult for Christians. The difficulty was not only due to discrimination which is still in effect even though unofficially, pressure from various parties, and the difficulty of maintaining the Christian principles in their daily lives. In order to defend the principles of the Christian faith, not a few Christians who have to pay dearly for failure even collapse, so getting ribbing from friends and his brothers.
A similar thing happened to David, who defended the principle of a self-righteousness, he shall suffer persecution from many people (16, 19). Oppression suffered physical and mental suffering caused tremendous (17, 18) for all his enemies dominated by the bitter hatred. This is a general truth that applies throughout the world and throughout the ages, that is people who defend the truth will be hated by those who love crime. So terrible stress and suffering that he had endured until he was dragged into sin (18). These conditions can not be underestimated, for it is not only his life will be destroyed, but it can also continue to be dragged into further sin. How did David respond to and deal with it?
It is still waiting and hoping to God (2, 21) and do not turn away any other gods (15), because he believed that only God who can give the stances specific to confront all oppression, challenges, and suffering without sin. It is not just asking God to let him walk (4) but also lead and teach His ways. This means that it does not want half measures to understand and carry out his will because that's the only stance to face an increasingly hostile world. David is sure to get it all from God because He is the God of truth and full of grace, well, want to hang out, and guide his people (6- 21).
Meditation: The Christian will still be able to defend the principles of the Christian faith, whatever the challenges faced and the suffering, if Christians always have hope and learn 'moves magic' of God found in His Word.
Gospel today, Love
The Jewish leaders apparently still not satisfied test Jesus. This time, the scribes and the Sadducees were talking with him. Their discussion topic this time is \ 'command which mainly \'. With that topic, they wanted to test him to see if he respects the law of Moses. More than what they expected, said the law defines it in its essence: love God with all that you have and love my neighbor as myself (verse 30-31). Jesus' response is interesting. Although asked to give a law that is considered the largest, he said the two laws. Why? Because loving others is an act that would appear when people love God. These two laws are complementary. We can not do one without the other meet. Law that summarize the law written on two stone tablets Moses received. It states the obligation of man to God and responsibility for others.
You are important to the underlying relationship. We can only obey the word of God without love him. However, such compliance is empty. Conversely, if we love Him, we will obey Him. In addition we should love our neighbor as ourselves. The ability to love others rely on the understanding that God loves them also. For example if someone makes us angry, what we will be revenge? If yes, then they are the underlying attitudes of our actions is not the word of God. So what we should not care about other people's behavior? No. The Bible teaches us how to deal with others and deal with the feeling of hurt. But God's solution is designed to bring about reconciliation and spiritual growth. Not for revenge or control others. Remember that every person is precious in God's eyes. Normalization of relations means respect for God and it manifests in our attitude toward others as God's creation.
People of the Book appreciate Jesus' answer. He saw how Jesus combines two commands given to Israel. It also listen to the answer of Jesus more than what is said. He heard in it an echo of the prophets, explaining that love is much more important than burnt offerings and offerings. That's what God requires of all people, love of God and neighbor. He also admired the lawyer. It is not far from the kingdom of God. What about the appreciation of our love?
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, if I am at the moment to say that I love you, but I hate my brother, then I am a liar. Because if I do not love my brother a look that's no good for me to love him who is invisible (1 John 4:20). Let your Spirit moves my heart to love you and to love thy neighbor true. Especially at this time of Lent, help me to be more like my Master - Jesus Christ - so that they can see live my faith as a relationship, not just a job. Amen.
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